Trump & Zeldin’s SHOCKING Climate Announcement: Are We Ignoring Science Forever? Don’t Miss This!

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a significant policy shift, the Trump administration has announced plans to revoke a key scientific finding that has long underpinned U.S. regulations on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change mitigation. The formal announcement by the White House is scheduled for Thursday, with President Donald Trump expected to speak at 1:30 p.m. EST.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will issue a final rule rescinding the 2009 endangerment finding, a pivotal declaration from the Obama era that classified carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as endangering public health and welfare. This ruling has been critical in shaping climate regulations under the Clean Air Act, including auto emissions standards designed to combat severe weather events fueled by climate change, such as deadly floods, intense heat waves, and devastating wildfires.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the administration's view of this shift as "the largest deregulatory action in American history," claiming it will save Americans $1.3 trillion by eliminating what they describe as "crushing regulations." Most of these savings are projected to come from reduced costs associated with new vehicles, with the EPA estimating an average savings of over $2,400 per vehicle for popular light-duty cars, SUVs, and trucks.

Legal Challenges Ahead

This move is likely to face significant legal challenges. Environmental groups have already labeled the decision as the most aggressive assault on federal climate policies in U.S. history. Abigail Dillen, president of the nonprofit law firm Earthjustice, denounced the administration's actions, stating, "There is no way to reconcile EPA's decision with the law, the science, and the reality of disasters that are hitting us harder every year." Earthjustice and its partners are expected to challenge the Trump administration in court.

In response to the criticism, EPA press secretary Brigit Hirsch argued that the Obama-era endangerment finding was "one of the most damaging decisions in modern history." She claimed that the current administration is committed to delivering significant regulatory relief for the American public.

Trump has previously described climate change as a "hoax," and in line with that view, he directed the EPA to reassess the legality of the endangerment finding shortly after taking office. This sentiment resonates with many conservatives and some congressional Republicans who argue that previous regulations were overly restrictive and economically burdensome.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, appointed by Trump, has openly criticized his Democratic predecessors, accusing them of acting irresponsibly in pursuit of climate policies that he believes threaten economic stability. He stated, "Democrats created this endangerment finding to basically regulate out of existence segments of our economy... And it cost Americans a lot of money."

However, critics of the administration's stance warn that the rollback of these regulations will lead to increased pollution and higher costs related to health care and fuel. Peter Zalzal, an attorney and associate vice president of the Environmental Defense Fund, asserted that the changes would lead to thousands of "avoidable premature deaths" and that the EPA is neglecting the health benefits associated with the existing regulations.

Historically, the endangerment finding has received strong legal backing. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the landmark 2007 case Massachusetts v. EPA that greenhouse gases are indeed air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Since then, federal courts, including a recent 2023 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, have consistently upheld the validity of the finding.

The scientific consensus on climate change has only strengthened since 2009. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reaffirmed the accuracy of the original finding, stating that the evidence for human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and their detrimental effects on health and welfare is now "beyond scientific dispute."

As the Trump administration gears up for this pivotal announcement, the implications for American climate policy and public health remain profound. The outcome of this deregulatory push is likely to echo through the courts and the broader environment for years to come, as advocates on both sides of the debate prepare for a fierce legal battle.